Federal Lawsuit Details Allegations Against Former Treasurer

SPRINGFIELD -- A federal lawsuit claiming sexual harassment by former Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford names four other staffers who allegedly complained of unwanted sexual advances by the one-time gubernatorial hopeful.

Edmund Michalowski filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in February 2014 that destroyed Rutherford's Republican bid for governor against eventual winner Bruce Rauner. Rutherford claimed it was a dirty political trick.

But Michalowski has persisted. A judge dismissed other allegations and directed Michalowski to re-file the harassment claim.

It says Rutherford made unwanted comments or gestures toward Michalowski several times from 2010 to 2014. It says "many other male employees and interns" were allegedly harassed and names four of them.

Rutherford's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.